Abortion

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances?

Legal under any

Legal only under certain

Illegal in all

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2017 May 3-7

29

50

18

3

2016 May 4-8

29

50

19

2

2015 May 6-10

29

51

19

1

2014 May 8-11

28

50

21

2

2013 May 2-7

26

52

20

2

2012 Dec 27-30

28

52

18

3

2012 May 3-6

25

52

20

3

2011 Jul 15-17

26

51

20

3

2011 Jun 9-12

26

52

21

1

2011 May 5-8

27

50

22

2

2010 May 3-6

24

54

19

3

2009 Jul 17-19

21

57

18

4

2009 May 7-10

22

53

23

2

2008 May 8-11

28

54

17

2

2007 May 10-13

26

55

18

1

2006 May 8-11

30

53

15

2

2005 Nov 11-13

26

56

16

2

2005 Jun 24-26

24

55

20

1

2005 May 2-5

23

53

22

2

2005 Mar 21-23

23

55

20

2

2004 May 2-4

24

56

19

1

2003 Oct 24-26

26

55

17

2

2003 May 5-7

23

57

19

1

2003 Jan 10-12

24

57

18

1

2002 May 6-9

25

51

22

2

2002 Mar 22-24

27

53

19

1

2002 Feb 8-10

26

54

18

2

2001 Aug 10-12

26

56

17

1

2001 May 10-14

26

58

15

1

2001 Mar 26-28

26

51

18

5

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

28

51

19

2

2000 Jan 13-16

26

56

15

3

1999 Apr 30-May 2

27

55

16

2

1998 Jan 16-18

23

59

17

1

1997 Nov 6-9

26

55

17

2

1997 Aug 12-13

22

61

15

2

1996 Sep 20-22 ^

24

52

17

7

1996 Jul 25-28

25

58

15

2

1995 Sep 22-24

31

54

12

3

1995 Feb 24-26

33

50

15

2

1994 Sep 6-7

33

52

13

2

1994 Mar 28-30

31

51

15

3

1993 Mar 12-14

32

51

13

4

1992 Jul 23-24 ^

34

48

15

3

1992 Jan 16-19

31

53

14

2

1991 Sep 5-8

33

49

14

4

1991 May 30-Jun 2

32

50

17

1

1990 Apr 5-20

31

53

12

4

1989 Jul 6-9

29

51

17

3

1989 Jul 6-7

29

51

17

3

1989 Apr 12-13

27

50

18

5

1988 Sep 25-Oct 1

24

57

17

2

1985 Jan 3-4

21

55

21

3

1983 Jun 24-27

23

58

16

3

1981 May 8-11

23

52

21

4

1980 Jul 11-14

25

53

18

4

1979 Feb 23-26

22

54

19

5

1977 Dec 9-12

22

55

19

4

1975 Apr 4-7

21

54

22

3

^ Based on registered voters

Gallup

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances or illegal in all circumstances? (Asked of those who say abortion should be legal under certain circumstances)\nDo you think abortion should be legal in most circumstances or only in a few circumstances?

Combined data based on full sample

Legal under any

Legal under most

Legal only in a few

Illegal in all

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2017 May 3-7

29

13

36

18

4

2016 May 4-8

29

12

37

19

3

2015 May 6-10

29

13

36

19

2

2014 May 8-11

28

11

37

21

3

2013 May 2-7

26

13

38

20

3

2012 Dec 27-30

28

13

38

18

4

2012 May 3-6

25

13

39

20

4

2011 Jul 15-17

26

13

38

20

4

2011 Jun 9-12

26

12

38

21

2

2011 May 5-8

27

10

39

22

3

2010 May 3-6

24

15

37

19

5

2009 Jul 17-19

21

13

42

18

6

2009 May 7-10

22

15

37

23

3

2008 May 8-11

28

13

40

17

3

2007 May 10-13

26

15

40

18

1

2006 May 8-11

30

13

39

15

3

2005 Nov 11-13

26

16

39

16

3

2005 Jun 24-26

24

15

40

20

1

2005 May 2-5

23

12

40

22

3

2005 Mar 21-23

23

14

39

20

4

2004 May 2-4

24

13

42

19

2

2003 Oct 24-26

26

14

40

17

3

2003 May 5-7

23

15

42

19

1

2003 Jan 10-12

24

14

42

18

2

2002 May 6-9

25

12

39

22

2

2002 Mar 22-24

27

12

40

19

2

2001 Aug 10-12

26

12

43

17

2

2001 May 10-14

26

15

41

15

3

2001 Mar 26-28

26

13

38

18

5

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

28

11

38

19

4

2000 Jan 13-16

26

17

39

15

3

1999 Apr 30-May 2

27

12

42

16

3

1998 Jan 16-18

23

16

42

17

2

1997 Nov 6-9

26

15

40

17

2

1997 Aug 12-13

22

12

48

15

3

1996 Jul 25-28

25

13

43

15

4

1995 Sep 22-24

31

14

39

12

4

1995 Feb 24-26

32

9

41

15

3

1994 Sep 6-7

33

13

38

13

3

Gallup

With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?

Trend from polls in which pro-life/pro-choice was asked after question on legality of abortion

Pro-choice

Pro-life

Mixed/Neither (vol.)

Don't know what terms mean (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2017 May 3-7

49

46

2

2

1

2016 May 4-8

47

46

3

3

2

2015 May 6-10

50

44

3

2

1

2014 May 8-11

47

46

3

3

*

2013 May 2-7

45

48

3

3

2

2012 Dec 27-30

48

44

3

4

1

2012 May 3-6

41

50

4

3

3

2011 Jul 15-17

47

47

2

3

1

2011 Jun 9-12

46

48

2

3

2

2011 May 5-8

49

45

3

2

2

2010 May 3-6

45

47

2

4

3

2009 Jul 17-19

46

47

3

2

2

2009 May 7-10

42

51

2

4

1

2008 May 8-11

50

44

1

2

2

2007 May 10-13

49

45

3

2

2

2006 May 8-11

51

41

4

2

3

2005 May 2-5

48

44

3

3

2

2004 May 2-4

49

44

2

3

2

2003 Oct 24-26

48

45

3

3

1

2003 May 5-7

48

45

2

4

1

2002 May 6-9

47

46

3

3

1

2001 Aug 10-12

46

46

3

3

2

2001 May 10-14

48

42

4

4

2

2001 Mar 26-28

47

41

4

6

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

48

43

2

4

3

1999 Apr 30-May 2

48

42

3

4

3

1998 Jan 16-18

48

45

3

2

2

1997 Nov 6-9

51

40

3

3

3

1997 Aug 12-13

47

44

3

3

3

1996 Jul 25-28

53

36

5

3

3

1995 Sep 22-24

56

33

5

3

3

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?

Trend from polls in which pro-life/pro-choice was NOT asked after questions on legality of abortion

Pro-choice

Pro-life

Mixed/Neither (vol.)

Don't know what terms mean (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2015 Oct 7-11

49

44

2

2

2

2012 Sep 24-27

47

46

3

2

2

2010 Mar 26-28

45

46

4

2

3

2009 Nov 20-22

48

45

2

2

3

2008 Sep 5-7

51

43

2

1

3

2007 Jun 11-14

51

43

2

2

2

2007 Jun 1-3

52

39

4

2

2

2006 Jan 6-8

53

42

1

2

2

2005 Aug 28-30

54

38

3

2

3

2005 Jul 22-24

51

42

3

3

1

2004 Oct 14-16

52

41

2

3

2

2001 Aug 3-5

52

39

4

3

2

2001 Jul 10-11

50

40

4

3

3

2001 Feb 9-11

55

38

5

1

1

2000 Oct 6-9

47

45

3

2

3

2000 Jul 14-16

50

40

4

2

4

1996 Jul 18-21

48

40

5

4

3

1996 Mar 15-17

56

37

3

2

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong. How about abortion?

Morally acceptable

Morally wrong

Depends on situation (vol.)

Not a moral issue (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2017 May 3-7

43

49

7

*

2

2016 May 4-8

43

47

9

*

2

2015 May 6-10

45

45

8

1

1

2014 May 8-11

42

48

8

*

1

2013 May 2-7

42

49

8

*

2

2012 May 3-6

38

51

9

*

2

2011 May 5-8

39

51

7

*

3

2010 May 3-6

38

50

9

*

3

2009 May 7-10

36

56

6

*

1

2008 May 8-11

40

48

10

*

2

2007 May 10-13

40

51

7

*

1

2006 May 8-11

43

44

11

*

2

2005 May 2-5

40

51

8

-

1

2004 May 2-4

40

50

8

*

2

2003 May 5-7

37

53

9

*

1

2002 May 6-9

38

53

8

*

1

2001 May 10-14

42

45

11

1

1

*Less than 0.5%; (vol.) = Volunteered response

Gallup

Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about -- the nation's policies regarding the abortion issue?

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2017

11

28

24

24

13

2016

9

24

22

33

11

2015

10

24

24

24

18

2014

10

28

19

27

17

2013

12

32

21

25

11

2012

10

29

21

25

15

2008

12

31

23

20

13

2007

12

29

22

25

12

2006

11

29

22

26

12

2005

13

29

21

26

11

2004

12

33

22

24

9

2003

10

32

24

22

12

2002

11

37

19

24

9

2001

11

32

21

26

10

Gallup

(Asked of those dissatisfied with nations's policies on abortion) Would you like to see abortion laws in this country made more strict, less strict or remain as they are?

Thinking about how the abortion issue might affect your vote for major offices, would you -- [ROTATED: only vote for a candidate who shares your views on abortion (or) consider a candidate's position on abortion as just one of many important factors (or) not see abortion as a major issue]?

Candidate must share views

One of many important factors

Not a major issue

No opinion

%

%

%

%

Registered voters

2016 May 4-8

20

51

27

3

2015 May 6-10

19

49

28

4

2014 May 8-11

19

49

27

4

2012 Sep 24-27

17

45

34

4

2007 May 10-13

16

60

23

2

2004 Oct 14-16

17

46

35

2

2004 May 2-4

14

46

39

1

2001 May 10-14

21

52

25

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

14

52

32

2

1999 Apr 30-May 2

19

52

26

3

1996 Jul 25-28

15

53

30

2

1996 Jul 18-21

17

50

30

4

1992 Jun 29

13

46

36

5

National adults

2016 May 4-8

20

49

28

4

2015 May 6-10

21

46

27

5

2014 May 8-11

19

48

28

6

2012 Sep 24-27

18

44

33

5

2008 May 8-11

13

49

37

2

2007 May 10-13

16

59

23

3

2004 Oct 14-16

17

46

35

2

2004 May 2-4

14

45

39

2

2001 May 10-14

20

51

27

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

15

49

33

3

1999 Apr 30-May 2

19

51

27

3

1996 Jul 25-28

16

51

30

3

1996 Jul 18-21

18

48

30

4

Gallup

Next, I'd like your overall opinion of some organizations. Is your overall opinion of [RANDOM ORDER] very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable or very unfavorable? Next, how about ... Planned Parenthood?

Very favorable

Mostly favorable

Mostly unfavorable

Very unfavorable

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2015 Oct 7-11

28

31

14

23

5

1993 Mar 12-14

40

41

8

5

6

1989 Feb 28-Mar 2

29

50

7

4

11

Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Allow females of any age to purchase the "Morning After" pill, a form of emergency contraception, without a prescription?

Vote for

Vote against

No opinion

%

%

%

2013 Jun 15-16

49

48

3

Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about abortion -- do you think most Americans are pro-choice or pro-life?

Pro-choice

Pro-life

Mixed/Neither (vol.)

Don't know what terms mean (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2013 May 2-7

51

35

7

2

5

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Would you like to see the Supreme Court overturn its 1973 Roe versus Wade decision concerning abortion, or not?

Yes, overturn

No, not overturn

No opinion

%

%

%

2012 Dec 27-30

29

53

18

2008 May 8-11

33

52

15

2007 May 10-13

35

53

12

2006 May 8-11

32

55

13

2006 Jan 20-22

25

66

9

2005 Jul 7-10 ^

28

63

9

2002 Mar 22-24

36

60

4

1992 Aug 13-14

34

60

6

1989 Oct 5-8

33

61

6

1989 Jul 6-7

31

58

11

^ Asked of a half sample

Gallup

Thinking more generally, do you think abortion should generally be legal or generally illegal during each of the following stages of pregnancy. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

In the first three months of pregnancy

2012 Dec 27-30

61

31

6

3

2011 Jun 9-12

62

35

2

1

2003 Jan 10-12

66

29

3

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

65

31

2

2

1996 Jul 25-26

64

30

4

2

In the second three months of pregnancy

2012 Dec 27-30

27

64

5

4

2011 Jun 9-12

24

71

3

2

2003 Jan 10-12

25

68

4

3

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

24

69

4

3

1996 Jul 25-26

26

65

7

2

In the last three months of pregnancy

2012 Dec 27-30

14

80

4

2

2011 Jun 9-12

10

86

2

1

2003 Jan 10-12

10

84

4

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

8

86

3

3

1996 Jul 25-26

13

82

3

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women seeking abortions to wait 24 hours before having the procedure done

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

69

28

3

2003 Jan 10-12

78

19

3

1996 Jul 25-28

74

22

4

1992 Jan 16-19

73

23

4

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

71

27

2

2005 Nov 11-13

69

28

3

2003 Jan 10-12

73

24

3

1996 Jul 25-28

74

23

3

1992 Jan 16-19

70

23

7

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law which would make it illegal to perform a specific abortion procedure conducted in the last six months of pregnancy known as a "partial birth abortion," except in cases necessary to save the life of the mother

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

64

31

5

2003 Jan 10-12

70

25

5

2000 Oct 25-28

63

35

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

66

29

5

2000 Jan 13-16

64

31

5

1999 Apr 30-May 2

61

34

5

1998 Jan 16-18

61

36

3

1997 Mar 24-26

55

40

5

1996 Apr 25-28

57

39

4

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring doctors to inform patients about certain possible risks of abortion before performing the procedure

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

87

11

2

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law prohibiting health clinics that provide abortion services from receiving any federal funds

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

40

57

3

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law allowing pharmacists and health providers to opt out of providing medicine or surgical procedures that result in abortion

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

46

51

4

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring women seeking an abortion to be shown an ultrasound image of her fetus at least 24 hours before the procedure

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Jul 15-17

50

46

3

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring that the husband of a married woman be notified if she decides to have an abortion

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2005 Nov 11-13

64

34

2

2003 Jan 10-12

72

26

2

1996 Jul 25-28

70

26

4

1992 Jan 16-19

73

25

2

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A constitutional amendment to ban abortion in all circumstances, except when necessary to save the life of the mother

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2005 Nov 11-13

37

61

2

2003 Jan 10-12

38

59

3

1996 Jul 25-28

38

59

3

1992 Jan 16-19

42

56

2

1984

50

46

4

Gallup

Next, do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals? A law requiring doctors to inform patients about alternatives to abortion before performing the procedure

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2003 Jan 10-12

88

11

1

1996 Jul 25-28

86

11

3

1992 Jan 16-19

86

12

2

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When the woman's life is endangered?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

83

13

1

3

2003 Jan 10-12

85

11

2

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

84

12

2

2

1996 Jul 25-26

88

7

3

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When the woman's physical health is endangered?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

82

15

1

2

2003 Jan 10-12

77

17

4

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

81

15

2

2

1996 Jul 25-26

82

11

5

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When the woman's mental health is endangered?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

61

35

2

2

2003 Jan 10-12

63

32

3

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

64

29

3

4

1996 Jul 25-26

66

27

5

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When there is evidence that the baby may be physically impaired?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

50

45

2

3

2003 Jan 10-12

56

37

4

3

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

53

39

5

3

1996 Jul 25-26

53

37

7

3

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When there is evidence that the baby may be mentally impaired?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

51

46

2

2

2003 Jan 10-12

55

39

3

3

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

53

40

4

3

1996 Jul 25-26

54

36

7

3

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

75

22

1

2

2003 Jan 10-12

76

19

2

3

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

78

19

1

2

1996 Jul 25-26

77

18

3

2

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered. For each one, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about -- When the woman or family cannot afford to raise the child?

Should be legal

Should be illegal

Depends (vol.)

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

36

61

1

2

2003 Jan 10-12

35

61

2

2

2000 Mar 30-Apr 2

34

62

2

2

1996 Jul 25-26

32

62

3

3

(vol.)=volunteered response

Gallup

Now I would like to ask your opinion about a specific abortion procedure known as "late term" abortion or "partial birth" abortion, which is sometimes performed on women during the last few months of pregnancy. Do you think that this procedure should be legal or illegal?

Legal

Illegal

No opinion

%

%

%

2007 May 10-13

22

72

5

2003 Oct 24-26

25

68

7

Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a law in your state that would ban all abortions except those necessary to save the life of the mother?

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2006 Mar 10-12

36

60

3

Gallup

What is your impression of how most Americans feel about abortion -- do you think most Americans feel -- [ROTATED: abortions should be legal under any circumstances, abortions should be legal only under certain circumstances or abortions should be illegal in all circumstances]?

Legal under any

Legal under certain

Illegal in all

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2005 May 2-5

13

67

16

4

2001 May 10-14

16

66

11

7

Gallup

Now thinking about future nominees to the United States Supreme Court, how important is it to you, personally, that they share your views on the abortion issue -- very important, somewhat important, not too important or not important at all?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not too important

Not important at all

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2005 May 2-5

45

31

15

8

1

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered in the FIRST THREE MONTHS of pregnancy. Thinking specifically about the FIRST trimester, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

Asked of half sample

Legal

Illegal

No opinion

%

%

%

When the woman's life is endangered

2003 May 19-21

82

15

3

When the child would be born mentally disabled

2003 May 19-21

50

46

4

When the child would be born with a life-threatening illness

2003 May 19-21

60

35

5

When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest

2003 May 19-21

72

24

4

When the woman does not want the child for any reason

2003 May 19-21

41

56

3

Gallup

Now I am going to read some specific situations under which an abortion might be considered in the LAST THREE MONTHS of pregnancy. Thinking specifically about the THIRD trimester, please say whether you think abortion should be legal in that situation, or illegal. How about ... [RANDOM ORDER]?

Asked of half sample

Legal

Illegal

No opinion

%

%

%

When the woman's life is endangered

2003 May 19-21

75

22

3

When the child would be born mentally disabled

2003 May 19-21

38

56

6

When the child would be born with a life-threatening illness

2003 May 19-21

48

47

5

When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest

2003 May 19-21

59

39

2

When the woman does not want the child for any reason

2003 May 19-21

24

74

2

Gallup

As you may know, in 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court announced a landmark decision on abortion known as Roe versus Wade. Do you think that decision was a -- [ROTATED: good thing (or a) bad thing] -- for the country?

Recommended

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U.S. Jews and nonreligious Americans tend to be more liberal on moral issues than Protestants, Catholics and Mormons. Mormons diverge from all other groups on the morality of premarital sex and gambling.

The majority of Americans, 59%, still view Planned Parenthood positively, but that is down from 81% when Gallup last asked about it, in 1993. Favorability has dropped more among Republicans than among Democrats or independents.